The Wolfpacker

March 2013 - Signing Day Edition

The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports

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2013 football recruiting issue Welcome Aboard Bios Of The Wolfpack���s Recruiting Class of 2013 F By Matt Carter irst-year NC State head coach Dave Doeren stood at the podium during his signing day press conference Feb. 6 sporting a suit and tie with a video projection screen to his left. He methodically went into detail for the media about each player while their highlights were being shown on the screen next to him. It was a big production, and a complete 180-degree difference from the low-key Tom O���Brien. It also was symbolic of a change coming in how NC State will be approaching football recruiting. Doeren and his staff are expected to place a heavier emphasis on recruiting, and it partially showed in the transition class they helped piece together this year. The Pack announced the additions of 22 high school standouts, a junior college prospect and two major college transfers. The class was the largest signed by NC State since the Pack inked 27 in 2010. NC State loaded up with an impressive haul of talent at running back and receiver and also signed a solid duo of defensive tackles, further solidifying the young talent already in the program. The following are in-depth profiles of the 23 recruits signed followed by a feature story on the two transfers: Florida quarterback Jacoby Brissett and West Virginia receiver Travares Copeland. Johnathan Alston ��� WR Cole Blankenship ��� OL Bunn (N.C.) High ��� 6-3 ��� 200 pounds Measurables: At a Shrine Bowl combine ran the 40-yard dash in 4.57 seconds and the shuttle in 4.70 seconds ��� Had a 32.0-inch vertical leap and did 10 reps at 185 pounds on the bench press. Stats: Caught 38 passes for 783 yards and 12 touchdowns, rushed for 223 yards and three scores, made 73 tackles, including eight for loss and seven sacks, and recorded two interceptions as a senior ��� Credited with 27 receptions for 523 yards and seven scores, 118 yards rushing and two more touchdowns, and 67 tackles, including 12 for loss and six sacks, as a junior. Ratings: Ranked three stars, the No. 70 athlete nationally and the No. 25 recruit in North Carolina by Rivals.com ��� Listed by Scout.com as a three-star recruit, the No. 30 outside linebacker in the country and the No. 10 player in the state ��� Regarded by 247Sports as a four-star prospect, the No. 31 outside linebacker in the nation and the No. 11 recruit from North Carolina ��� photo by ken martin Ranked by ESPN as a three-star recruit, the No. 80 wide receiver nationally and the No. 26 prospect in the state ��� Considered the sixth-best recruit in North Carolina by National Underclassmen. Honors/Accomplishments: Named Northern Carolina All-Conference as a senior ��� Also plays basketball. Recruitment: During the summer, Alston seemed to have a firm grip on his recruitment. He had narrowed his choices to NC State and North Carolina despite offers from Arkansas, Georgia, Notre Dame, South Carolina and Tennessee among others. In early August, Alston told The Wolfpacker that his decision was coming ���pretty soon.��� It took almost six months, but Alston finally settled on a school, picking NCSU over the Heels five days after he officially visited NC State Jan. 25. Recruiter of record: Running backs coach Des Kitchings. Dave Doeren on Alston: ���He played a variety of positions, a guy who goes up and gets the football. You see him at receiver, but he���s also a very good defensive player.��� Scouting report: Alston has a lot of the physical tools athletically, and he is naturally a good football player as well. He could be equally successful playing receiver, safety or perhaps even linebacker in college. The key for him will be settling on a position and maintaining the proper focus to develop his skills there. 2013 projection: Alston was rather insistent on being recruited as a wide receiver despite his two-way versatility at Bunn High. NC State returns only five scholarship receivers from last season, and given the likely installation of a version of the spread offense there will be chances for the wide receivers in the 2013 class to play early. Alston will be in the mix. Mocksville (N.C.) Davie County High ��� 6-3 ��� 295 pounds Measurables: At a Shrine Bowl combine ran the 40-yard dash in 5.18 seconds and the shuttle in 4.87 seconds ��� Had a 24.0-inch vertical leap and performed 32 reps at 185 pounds on the bench press. Ratings: Regarded by Rivals.com as a three-star player ��� Picked by 247Sports as a three-star recruit, the No. 65 offensive guard nationally and the No. 37 prospect in the state of North Carolina ��� Listed by Scout.com as a three-star recruit and the No. 22 center in the country ��� Ranked by ESPN as a three-star recruit, the No. 66 offensive guard nationally and No. 39 prospect in the state. Honors/accomplishments: Picked first-team 4-A all-state by both NC Preps and Carolina Preps despite missing seven games with a stress fracture in his leg ��� Selected to play in the 2012 Shrine photo courtesy rivals.com Bowl of the Carolinas All-Star game and started at left guard ��� Was named all-state by the Associated Press as a junior. Recruitment: Blankenship first visited NC State for junior day in January and then was back again for the spring game in April. Blankenship was offered a scholarship April 23, and within 24 hours he committed to the Pack. Blankenship briefly considered opening up his recruitment during the coaching change, but he held solid after meeting Dave Doeren and enrolled early. Recruiter of record: Former defensive backs coach Mike Reed. Dave Doeren on Blankenship: ���He plays guard and tackle on film, but he can play any of the interior spots for us: guard or center. The thing I like, the first time I called Cole on the phone I asked him what kind of a lineman was he, and he said, ���I���m the kind of guy you want to run the ball behind.��� That���s what I wanted to hear. I like those guys that are physical.��� Scouting report: Blankenship���s attitude is one of his biggest assets. He���s a tough, physical grinder along the line, but he���s a better athlete than one might suspect. Given his frame, he is best suited to play guard or center. 2013 projection: Blankenship is a versatile lineman that has played tackle, guard and center in high school, but he projects strictly as an interior lineman in college. Although State has some gaps to fill at guard and center, it���s atypical for a true freshman linemen to have an impact. 34��� ������ the wolfpacker 34-36,38-40,42-43.Recruiting Bios.indd 34 2/26/13 1:14 PM

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